Picked up an 09 SS/TC

[09civicsisedan]

Hey fellas,

I picked up recently (3 weeks ago) a brand new Cobalt SS/TC. I got her for $17,500 with discounts from Chapman Chevy (will NEVER recommend them to ANYONE - horrid service). Great car though, this thing handles like a beast, better than the Si I owned! Plus, 260/260 stock is a great benefit. I used to own an 89 Saab 9000 Turbo and missed that rush that I got when I drove that thing!

Anyways, here she is. Stock internals for right now ... I'll be getting the Clear Image Automotive Short Ram Intake, either GM or Trifecta tune; prefer the former since I keep warranty and it removes the learn down feature, IC Pipe, down pipe and more as I'm still learning about this car.

I have many plans for her, I've just done some exterior modifications thus far.

Take a look and let me know what you guys think:

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/1268/img0642o.jpg

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/254/img0644cfo.jpg

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/3947/img0628t.jpg

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/2329/img0629b.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9585/img0640j.jpg

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/5372/img0633.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2691/img0632.jpg

[SpEcRv9]

nice man, I drove one of these and it was an awesome car!...i'd definitely rock one

[TGilb2007]

Awesome ride.

[Vr-4-Life]

engine bay pics?

Im suprised they come with brembos...

[cszakolczai]

yeah brembo's in the front only. I hate that, Nissan did that with the Spec V as well. if your going to do it, do it right and offer the full package.

[poisonivory]

nice pickup! tighten that stance up a smidge and she's golden IMO.

[pinkarrowsnow]

As much as i dont like cobalts this is a badass car man. Stock for stock beat a evoX around a track it was in motortrend over the summer.

[Vr-4-Life]

theres no way these have more grip then an evoX.... what advantage did it have over the Evo? show me the article i want to see..

[Disrupter]

theres no way these have more grip then an evoX.... what advantage did it have over the Evo? show me the article i want to see..

less drivetrain loss?

I thought the cobalt ss was supercharged? Eitherway nice purchase.

[PnS]

Chevy tuned the chassis moreso with the 09 than previous versions. The old Cobalt SS handled about as well as an SRT-4...badly. They've done it up nicely now, and I believe it's got an LSD. Love it or hate it, the car commands respect.

<<<<< This car beats the EVO X in everything too. Except launching, obviously. EVOs are sweet, but no longer kings of the road...stock at least...

[TGilb2007]

nice pickup! tighten that stance up a smidge and she's golden IMO.

I would almost be afraid of touching that suspension. It already is supposed to handle damn amazingly

theres no way these have more grip then an evoX.... what advantage did it have over the Evo? show me the article i want to see..

First place to look would be the 'Ring times. Its not an end all test, but, it shows off how quick cars can boogie around that place. And, there is no denying the turns there, require AMAZING handling.

But just google around, TONS of magazines, tuning companies, and lord knows who else, LOVED this car when it came out. Hopefully, we start to see some companies get REALLY nutty with these things
less drivetrain loss?

I thought the cobalt ss was supercharged? Eitherway nice purchase.

THe 05-06 models were SC'd. Took a break in 07, then came the turbo'd version.

[Oakes]

less drivetrain loss?

I thought the cobalt ss was supercharged? Eitherway nice purchase.

They were supercharged up until 07, they're now Turbo

[JDMTyler3326]

I think you should take the SS off. But ya she looks very good!

[Disrupter]

Nice! I remember hearing that the motor had potential, which the supercharger could not satisfy. Thats why they would change over to a turbo set-up. Badass!

[marecco]

http://www.gtrblog.com/2008/09/26/car-aamp-driver-lightning-lap-2008/

Click the picture of the grid that shows the times and you will see that the Cobalt SS is above the Evo. it beat it by 3/10ths of a second. Also bested some other sick cars that are on that list (STi, IS-F, Lotus Elise SC, etc)

[Eclipse GSX 61]

Looks like it is in good shape. They are fun cars to drive I had a blast driving one. I would still prefer a turbo over a supercharger though. Also thank god you did not get a yellow one. Dudes should not drive yellow Cobalts.

[frosti108]

great lookin car, i cant believe it beats an evo in anything ...thats craziness.

my only grudge is that its fwd. otherwise, awesome car

[SvicksTc]

Is it true these cars have factory launch control?


Did you try and flatshift it yet?

[tranceporter]

nice man!

did you try the wot shift feature yet?

[09civicsisedan]

Thanks for all the responses fellas!

Yeah, she handles tight as hell, .9g on the skidpad, LSD definitely comes in handy when autoxing as well. I was honestly surprised with how well and how fast the car was when I test drove it. I asked the salesman if he minded if I opened it up, the damn thing moved quickly. These cars are DEFINITE sleepers. From a launch the EvoX takes the Cobalt due to the fact that it's a FWD car and there's just no damn grip with the stock Continental summer tires, but it has great top end. There are two fools on youtube (09 SS (stock) vs an 06-07 Mustang GT (exhaust and some light mods) from a 40 roll and the cobalt kept nose to nose with it until about 130mph when it started to pull (stupid I know), but it goes to show you the power to weight ratio is pretty good.

Is it true these cars have factory launch control?


Did you try and flatshift it yet?

Yes, these cars do have "Launch Control" and "No Lift Shift". When launch control is engaged you simply hold down the clutch and gas pedal, the car will rev to 5100 rpms, let out the clutch and your off. i've tried it once, but you get no damn traction and plus it's too high of an rpm to take off for the car. Keeping her in the sweet spot of 3-4ks is just right.

No-Lift Shift is even better simply because it prevents the turbo from losing boost when you shift gears in a conventional turbo manual. GM tested it 600 times in a row with no ill effects. When NLS is in operation, the car has a 0-60 time of 5.4secs which is pretty quick.

Some people on forums I've read with a simple tune are putting down 310whp and 340wtq. The clutch is good to 340# tq, after that it starts to slip. The only bad thing right now is that without a tune, the car has a learn down ECU, which only limits you to 260/260 unless you reflash to prevent it from "learning down". The GM tune and trifecta tunes both remove the learn down feature so when you add bolt-ons it won't limit you to your current tune. of course, the correct way is to get all your bolt ons first and then tune.

My only gripe is the massive amounts of torque steer and no traction (even bone stock) through first and 1/4 of 2nd gear. If this thing was RWD we'd have an 11 second track car, since it's FWD we're good for about 12's. Some people have already attained mid 12's.

Ill definitely keep you guys updated on my progress, for only $17,500 it's a freaking steal (even if the interior is sub-par)!! I can look beyond that for pure fun and performance!

[09civicsisedan]

PS - on the flat shift, you hear a "popping" sound, kind of sounds like a kickback in the exhaust, that's simply because as the car hits higher RPM's the A/F gets leaner and it actually burns the gas in the exhaust manifold causing this sound. The GM engineers said that it should only happen once (1st gear) and if you are hearing it more than once when No Lift Shifting then you should shift sooner.

I'm leary on touching suspension as she runs real tight through corners. There was so much R&D and time spent on the ''ring'' that I don't want to go messing with anything (yet) since I know it's going to be extremely "touchy".

Oh, and yes, yellow balts are the ghey .... no offense as I know some people have them on here.

[240sxDann]

nice pick up man! These definitely have potential! I believe the one company who makes parts for the supercharged ones (don't remember the name lol) started making parts for these and were making about 290whp and were cuttin like 12.90ish 1/4 mile times with intake/exhaust/tune and the boost turned up.

P.S. if your really trying to launch, don't use the launch control, it sucks lol.

[rickeo]

Awesome. Every time someone says something negative about you're car, just point them here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordschleife_fastest_lap_times

Gotta love all the cars that this little Chevy is faster then...

[GmFwd]

Finally a GMFWD that I wont have to dump thousands into it just to run 13's!

I was all over this at the philly car show. I love these cars. Im so glad GM finally built a decent front wheel drive.

Too bad its getting replaced soon...

Im getting one once I get out of college.

[09civicsisedan]

Awesome. Every time someone says something negative about you're car, just point them here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordschleife_fastest_lap_times

Gotta love all the cars that this little Chevy is faster then...

And that was wet too!! Just imagine on a dry ring!! :supz:

[09civicsisedan]

yeah brembo's in the front only. I hate that, Nissan did that with the Spec V as well. if your going to do it, do it right and offer the full package.

Brembos only in the front is weak sauce, I'm nervous for when a brake pad replacement comes (cost wise); cratenginedepot.com had some good prices though (I just don't know how to put on front brake pads when the time comes (mainly since I don't have the tools). At least (from what I've read) that these brembos last a pretty long time. The rear brakes actually wear out faster than the fronts due to the crappy rotors GM decided to put on there. I've read some people only going 15k miles before they needed rear rotors. We'll see ...:(

[rickeo]

Putting pads in calipers like those Brembo's is much easier then sliding calipers like most OEM cars. There is two pull pins that you pop out and the pads slide right out. Don't even need a ratchet. Just needle-nose pliers and possibly a punch pin if the pins don't slide right out.

[Vr-4-Life]

Awesome. Every time someone says something negative about you're car, just point them here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordschleife_fastest_lap_times

Gotta love all the cars that this little Chevy is faster then...

Thats only one track :)

Not all tracks are created equal. A fast car on one may be slower on another.

[fballman1987]

I would almost be afraid of touching that suspension. It already is supposed to handle damn amazingly



First place to look would be the 'Ring times. Its not an end all test, but, it shows off how quick cars can boogie around that place. And, there is no denying the turns there, require AMAZING handling.

But just google around, TONS of magazines, tuning companies, and lord knows who else, LOVED this car when it came out. Hopefully, we start to see some companies get REALLY nutty with these things


THe 05-06 models were SC'd. Took a break in 07, then came the turbo'd version.

incorrect. my sc was an 07, they were sc'ed til 07 then in 08 started turbo

Chevy tuned the chassis moreso with the 09 than previous versions. The old Cobalt SS handled about as well as an SRT-4...badly. They've done it up nicely now, and I believe it's got an LSD. Love it or hate it, the car commands respect.

<<<<< This car beats the EVO X in everything too. Except launching, obviously. EVOs are sweet, but no longer kings of the road...stock at least...

theyve had lsd since 05. it was an option not standard. just a revised suspension.

They were supercharged up until 07, they're now Turbo

correct.

[rickeo]

Thats only one track :)

Not all tracks are created equal. A fast car on one may be slower on another.

As obviously true as that is, are you not to familiar with the 'Ring? Its the benchmark for all around performance in the car community. Take that as you will.

[Vr-4-Life]

Yeah.. thanks for the tip ;)

I still dont like this cars for some reason lol... they are in the same league as the scion tc, or the ion redline to me.

Maybe that will change for me some day...

the 08 is a damn good start.

[SpEcRv9]

cobalt t/c is not in the same league as a scion tc or ion redline (a cobalt s/c)

a car that runs 8:22 at the ring is more in the league of

lotus exige s
bmw e46 m3
audi s5
bmw e92 335i
r32 skyline
porsche cayman s

I could go on about what other cars its in "the league" with.

[Vr-4-Life]

Dont bother...

I just like them as much as i like the TC or ion redline...

and thats not much at all....

The 08+ might just grow on me though...

Its just the prior years just remind me of a srt4, redline, tc... you know?

[SpEcRv9]

Dont bother...

I just like them as much as i like the TC or ion redline...

and thats not much at all....

The 08+ might just grow on me though...

Its just the prior years just remind me of a srt4, redline, tc... you know?

a good reason that the s/c cobalt would remind you of a redline....is because it was a redline with cobalt badging.

[Scapegoat]

cobalt t/c is not in the same league as a scion tc or ion redline (a cobalt s/c)

a car that runs 8:22 at the ring is more in the league of

lotus exige s
bmw e46 m3
audi s5
bmw e92 335i
r32 skyline
porsche cayman s

I could go on about what other cars its in "the league" with.

it is not in the league with those cars.... at all... just because it holds its own on "the ring" with them... this car is faaaar below those.

[Vr-4-Life]

Yeah i know.... are the new redlines going to be turbo as well?

[TGilb2007]

incorrect. my sc was an 07, they were sc'ed til 07 then in 08 started turbo

Ah... thanks for hte correction.

Either way, still a BA car.

[fballman1987]

Yeah i know.... are the new redlines going to be turbo as well?

they dont make the ION redline anymore. supposdely they were thinking of making an aura redline, since IIRC the aura took over the ION line.

Ah... thanks for hte correction.

Either way, still a BA car.

true. my sc handled great so to improve the handling is amazing. but these cars run out of fuel when making like 330whp and there is no fix for it yet being that it is DI.

[09civicsisedan]

Putting pads in calipers like those Brembo's is much easier then sliding calipers like most OEM cars. There is two pull pins that you pop out and the pads slide right out. Don't even need a ratchet. Just needle-nose pliers and possibly a punch pin if the pins don't slide right out.

Good to know, thanks! :mrgreen:


I do agree that this car is fast and handles well, but is not in comparison with any porsche cayman. I love it to death, but we're still talking about the same good GM quality that has always been around for years!

[forced_induction]

congrats on the balt